D.C. trip may boomerang

The boomerang hasn't made its way back to the delegation of Monroe City School Board members and officials who made a questioned and questionable trip to Washington, D.C., to the U.S. Justice Department to talk about the Neville High School charter proposal.

But, you can be assured, it will.

The trip, led by School Board President Verbon Muhammed, included interim Superintendent Derenda Flowers and attorney Doug Lawrence. Board member Rodney McFarland, in the District of Columbia at the time, offered to stay over to support the meetings.

A chain of emails obtained by The (Monroe) News-Star through public records requests shows efforts by at least three board members to slow the process, save the district money and seek public input, but it appears the suggestions for cheaper conveniences like video conferences were dismissed.

The first email in the chain is from Muhammad informing the board of the upcoming trip and why he believes it is necessary. He explains that after much concern and discussion about the potential for Neville High School becoming a charter school, he asked Lawrence to contact the Justice Department, which monitors activity in the district to ensure equality for all students.

"The Neville Alumni has negatively labeled this board and has indicated to seek approval directly from BESE in Baton Rouge, LA for takeover of Neville High School," an Oct. 6 email from Muhammad reads.

Muhammad then says the fact that Neville has not been in contact with the department previously is "an irresponsible approach."

Muhammad writes that Justice Department attorney Franz Marshall has told Lawrence that he is available to meet with "us" on Oct. 10. Muhammad told The News-Star that he initially asked Lawrence to contact Justice near the beginning of the school year.

"As board president, I am making arrangements to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with Mr. Marshall, and I will ask interim Superintendent Mrs. Flowers and the board attorney Doug Lawrence to accompany myself," the email read. It did not invite other board members, nor did it mention McFarland's generous offer to extend his visit to attend.

While the expenses for this trip have not been calculated, the costs are apparent.

The Monroe contingent met a stern-faced set of four Justice Department attorneys who had big questions.

The district remains under a desegregation suit, with plaintiffs who should be part of the conversation about any significant change in the district's makeup.

Muhammed's intent was to finally begin a fight to keep Neville High School in the Monroe City School District.

But in the end, he may have drawn more federal attention to the district than the School Board wants to answer.